New Balance 996v3 reviews on TW?
- Thread starter itsme9003
- Start date
surfsb
Rookie
If you're coming from the 996v2, it is a huge upgrade. The v2 had a flaw in the design of the upper where the material would separate and create a hole from the from natural flexing (look in the photo below, its above the white midsole on the orange shoe around the arch region). I saw this happen to a few people, so presumably New Balance was aware when the designing the 996v3. The shape of the last and the design of the upper is completely different in ways that directly fix this "pinching" of the material in the upper of the v2. There is also almost half an ounce difference with the 996v3 being lighter. In my opinion, the last shape and the arch shape are more reminiscent of the 996v1 design than the last 996v2 which has a noticeably wider sole.
From left to right NB 996v1 - 996v2 - 996v3 (size 10.5D)
As you can see, the 996v3 is noticeably 'chunkier' looking around the heel area. The stack height of the sole is wider and as a result, there's a lot more material around the heel. Yet somehow the shoe is lighter and breathes better. My only complaint is that the shoe rides higher than I would like. I like a shoe that is low and flat to the ground. It felt unstable breaking in but I've gotten used to it. I have a rather narrow foot with a high arch and instep and it fits rather snug.
From left to right NB 996v1 - 996v2 - 996v3 (size 10.5D)
As you can see, the 996v3 is noticeably 'chunkier' looking around the heel area. The stack height of the sole is wider and as a result, there's a lot more material around the heel. Yet somehow the shoe is lighter and breathes better. My only complaint is that the shoe rides higher than I would like. I like a shoe that is low and flat to the ground. It felt unstable breaking in but I've gotten used to it. I have a rather narrow foot with a high arch and instep and it fits rather snug.
TW Staff
Administrator
itsme9003,
At the moment, this shoe isn't being playtested by us -- sorry! Long story short, we received samples of the shoe and started our playtest months ago to find that the shoes we were wearing were not the final production models and there had been some changes made (we had some initial issues with the shoes as well which they fixed in the final version). So, we stopped the playtest and got bogged down with the next several shoes on our list.
I can say we all loved the soft upper of this updated version and just that aspect of the shoe felt pretty different compared to the previous versions.
I'll talk to our shoe buyer and see if we can squeeze them in, or do a mini-playtest with a couple players. However, I recommend checking out the customer feedback on them, as that can be pretty telling and informative!
Michelle, TW
thanks michelle. I really just want to know if the "overall sole durability" is good this time or not. the previous version 996v2 got a pretty poor 3.3 score in that category, with most of your playtesters having worn out the areas under the big toe. I'm hoping that they fixed this issue with the v3, so if anyone there has any insight it would be much appreciated!
surfsb
Rookie
Sole durability has noticeably improved. It's WAY better. I usually burn through 996s after 3-4 months. I'm approaching a month as of next week in my 996v3 and not seeing the expected wear to the outsole under the ball of the foot or anywhere else on the sole. The nDurance outsole material seems different and not as soft as the 996v2. I'm definitely impressed with the updates to the 996v3.
Please do it at least with Jason Huang as he is the only one with a wide width and low arch. He should almost always test every single pair of shoe because we wide feet people need some love too and every other playtester are medium or narrow width.
Doesn't really matter in this case, NB makes a 2E for this and go by his other review, he likely won't even need the 2E version.
why do you say that? don't make silly assumptions
LOL you are the silly one here, I watched most of his review,lots of shoes have comfortable wide fit for him I can't even fit in, and 996v3 2E has perfect width for me.
you said jason won't even need the 2E version. but in his review of the v2 he clearly stated he had to size up to the 2E. please learn to read the reviews before commenting.
Likely won't need != will not fit him better. The most important fact is he done large amount of reviews in shoes that people with truly wide feet won't even fit in.
I wore a 9.5 2E in the v2 and I am a little concerned about the hunk of plastic that New Balance put on the inside of the toebox. This wasn't on the previous version. I think it won't be a big deal as they break in, but it's someting to think about. I've got a big, fat bunion so hopefully won't be an issue. Comfort/cushioning and fit-wise, these don't compare well to the Asics Gel Res 7 for me. The sole looks solid and I think it should last longer than the v2 though. I can't complain really since it is a replacement pair. This is just a heads-up for wide feet and/or bunion people.
you are literally making no sense. people with wide feet certainly rely on jason's reviews, as he is the only playtester who wears wide sizes. to think that jason is the only human on earth with that specific shoe size is stupid, and childish on your part. the other guy simply requested he partake in the review, you really shouldn't butt in with your dumb comments.
I have been mislead by his review a few times, if you actually have any experience with NB, you would know when it come to width, their 2E/4E is waaay more reliable than Jason's review.
TW Staff
Administrator
Ding ding
Jason has a wide foot but isn't a true 2E.
The best advice I'd add to get an accurate "review" for now is to be sure to check out our customer feedback on the shoes as that can be very resourceful as well!
Michelle, TW
Ding ding
Jason has a wide foot but isn't a true 2E.
The best advice I'd add to get an accurate "review" for now is to be sure to check out our customer feedback on the shoes as that can be very resourceful as well!
Michelle, TW
New balance doesn't make an E size. Maybe other shoe brands do (I've certainly never heard of it), but for NB, 2E is their wide and 4E is their extra wide.
Ding ding
Jason has a wide foot but isn't a true 2E.
The best advice I'd add to get an accurate "review" for now is to be sure to check out our customer feedback on the shoes as that can be very resourceful as well!
Michelle, TW
so is a review coming anytime soon?
WildVolley
Legend
I found the 2E 996v2 to be narrower in the toe box than some D-width shoes by some other makers (K-Swiss Big Shot 2.5, Yonex PCD-1, Yonex Fusion Rev).
There may be more volume in the 2E 996v2, but I didn't find it to be a true 2E width shoe.
